In an effort to resolve the Gaza conflict, a 20-point plan developed to secure a ceasefire includes the release of hostages. Negotiations between Hamas and Israel are set to take place in Egypt to discuss the hostage agreement. During these discussions, Hamas is expected to request the release of a number of prominent Palestinian terrorists, whom Israel has previously refused to release. The key figures Hamas seeks to have released include:
* **Marwan Barghouti:** A leading figure in Fatah Tanzim, connected to the planning of terrorist attacks during the Second Intifada. These attacks led to the deaths of five Israelis, resulting in Barghouti receiving five life sentences.
* **Ahmad Saadat:** The leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), convicted and sentenced to 30 years for orchestrating the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze’evi in 2001.
* **Ibrahim Hamed:** The Hamas commander in the West Bank, responsible for multiple killings of Israelis.
* **Abbas al-Sayed:** The mastermind behind the 2002 Park Hotel bombing in Netanya, which resulted in the deaths of 39 Israelis.
* **Hassan Salameh:** Implicated in planning several suicide bombings.
Hamas is prioritizing the release of these terrorists, making their freedom a central part of the overall deal, even if it endangers the agreement. Israel currently holds 303 prisoners serving life sentences.
In addition to the release of the terrorists, Hamas is also seeking the release of members of the Nukhba Force, the elite Hamas unit involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks. Israel has consistently rejected this demand. A senior Israeli official indicated that Israel may be willing to release certain convicted terrorists, though the release of those involved in the October 7 attacks remains doubtful.
Furthermore, Hamas is also demanding a guaranteed complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza, along with a specified timeline for the withdrawal. The Hamas negotiating team, under the leadership of Khalil al-Hayya, will also coordinate with the Palestinian Authority (PA) team to work on the governance structure of Gaza post-conflict, possibly involving the PA.
